Your rights as a tenant

Press, 29 January 1986, Page 12

Your rights as a tenant

Your rights as a tenant are worth knowing, just in case you’re ever in a situation where you are not sure what’s right and what’s wrong, and who can do what where, when, and how. Briefly, as set out by the Tenants Protection Association, these rights are:

• Without your consent, the agent or landlord must give 24 hours notice before entering the premises, and he can only come at a reasonable time. He is only entitled to enter for the purposes of inspecting the state of repair or for doing repairs. • You cannot be asked to pay more than a total of one month’s rent to the landlord or agent at the beginning of a tenancy, including a bond.

.. • Every flat must have an adequate stove, kitchen sink, bathroom basin, and separate laundry facilities of at least one tub (all with adequate supply of hot and cold running water). • You can use your rent money to do repairs, etc., if your landlord won’t keep your place in good condition. You should consult with the landlord and the Tenants Protection Association if you Intend to do this. • If you think your rent is too high, you can

appeal to the Housing Corporation, which will set a rent on the property. • You are entitled to have your own locks on your doors. • The only person allowed on your property is the landlord, or his agent This is relevant if your landlord is selling the property — you can’t be forced to agree to prospective buyers going through your home.

• The landlord cannot remove any of your pro-

perty to compensate for overdue rent. • Key money or any payment other than rent or bond, for granting a tenancy is illegal. • It is illegal for a landlord or agent to refuse you a fiat because you have children or because of your race. • If you don’t have a written tenancy agreement and the landlord wants to evict you, you must be given one month’s notice.